ST. STEPHEN'S SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 15

ST. STEPHEN'S SCHOOL.

SELECTION OF NEW SITE.

AUTHORITY TO BORROW £25,000.

PROVISION FOR AGRICULTURE.

Although active steps are now being taken to select a suitable country site for St. Stephen's School, it is anticipated it will bo at least two years before th« school will be moved from its present locality in Parnell. In the concluding portion of his charge to the Diocesan Synod yesterday Archbishop Avcrill said it was intended to remove the school to the country where, in addition to the pursuance of tht> regular curriculum for secondary education, practical instruction in various branches of agriculture could be given. Tho General Church Trust Board had be'en authorised to borrow on all or any part of the Native Schools Trust Estate up to £25,000 for tho purpose.

"It is not tho intention of tho trust, board to change the nature of the school to any great extent, and it is not intended to convert it into an agricultural college, but merely to provide facilities for the boys who desire such instruction to bo trained in agricultural pursuits in addition to other branches of learning," said the archbishop. "Tho school hitherto has been used mainly, but not exclusively, for the education of Maori boys and native boys from othor islands of the Pacific. Pakeha boys, under the terms of tho trustee, can bo and have been educated at St. Stephen's, but it will in all probability continue to be used chiefly for the education of native boys.

"As soon as the question of site and other preliminaries are settled the board will take steps to erect tho new buildings, but it is anticipated that it will bo fully two years before the new St. Stephen's can eventuate." His Grace added that a strenuous task had been presented in selecting a suitable site from the 140 properties offered for sale.